Help with a Term

I had a Medtronic Revo put in last Friday morning to correct a Type 2 2nd degree AV Block.

I was perfectly fine for a few days but started having symptoms again 5 days later. I went immediately in for a check, and the Medtronic rep kept telling the EP nurses that I was "wikibauking" I know that's not how you spell it, but that's how it sounded. This was my 1st check and I was so overwhelmed that I didn't ask for more info.

They changed almost all of the settings and sent me on my way. (The change made me feel much better).

What is the term?????

4 Comments

Wenckebach Rhythm

by ElectricFrank - 2011-08-19 01:08:11

There are a bunch of type of this rhythm, but it has to do with skipping every 2nd, 3rd, etc beat. Docs like big impressive names for things. In electronics we just call it something like losing sync every so many pulses.

In the heart it usually happens when the time between beats is on the edge of being too short for the heart to follow. So several beats make it and then electrochemical fatigue causes a beat to be missed. Frequently with pacing a small adjustment can make a big difference in this case.

You can Google Wenckebach if you feel like you want some excitement.

frank

Wenckebach

by white110 - 2011-08-19 01:08:44

Hi! I have this phenomenon too when I am in second degree block and intermittent 3rd degree block. The docs thought it was fun to give me atropine and watch me Wenckebach prior to getting my PM implanted.

I myself haven't noticed any issues but my settings have been tweaked a few times in subsequent appointments. My understanding of it is that because we do occasionally conduct and because it is a type of "escape rhythm" it makes programming us more challenging but not impossible. You should definitely keep on them if symptoms return.

Patty

When-Key-Bach

by donb - 2011-08-19 09:08:07

Ya, That was I German Dr's last name who came up with this diagnosis. I'm very familiar with the diagnosis as I had lots of experience with this in 1992 as I was in 2nd degree electrical block. Just prior to my 1st PM being on a monitor in the hospital for 10 days a RN nurse gave me a book explaining this irregular heart beat where my ECG showed the time between my P wave and the triggered QRST wave. Very plainly the time space would get longer after the 3rd beat and then a skip. The next P wave would would be normal time period with a good sold beat and then aound we go for another skipcycle. I still have episodes with my PM saying "Hey, make up your mind!" AS PM patients, it's always interesting what can come up as with PAC's, PVC's, A-Fib, and even old Wenkey. Having worked electronics all my life, I sure missed the boat as doing pacemaker design would have been much more interesting compared to home entertainment equipment. donb

Reminds me of my old Model A Ford

by ElectricFrank - 2011-08-20 11:08:50

Pull one spark plug wire and it would give 3 chugs and a cough. After a few of them the muffler would fill with gasoline fumes and go BANG. That the part that worries me with Twinkie Back

frank

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